I've ordered LE2 heads and cam along with all the goodies that go along with them. It's gonna be a while on the cam most likely with the core shortage so I'm considering upgrading the rear to a 9" sooner than later. If I went to a junkyard how would I know which one to pick up? All I really know is Ford 9". 🤣 Obviously I'd order the gears new (3.73) and posi. Which do y'all recommend?

 

Are you going to make all the required modifications to the 9-inch yourself? The brackets for the torque arm can be a real challenge. There is no direct bolt-in unit out there in a junk yard.

On the other hand, outfits like Moser make a 9-inch set up for the 3rd and 4th Gen F-Body, but they’re not cheap. Unless you're looking at a build in excess of 700 HP, the GM 12-bolt is also available plug-and-play from Strange and Moser. Ditto on the Strange (Dana) 60. There are also Ford 8.8-inch conversions available from Hawks.

The 9-inch is heavy, has the highest power losses, and the offset horizontal location of the pinion shaft can create tunnel clearance problems.

 

Thanks man. That's the kind of info I needed. Thinking I'll go a different route than the 9".

 

I've got a Strange 12–bolt with heavy duty Eaton posi, 4.11 Pro-Street gears, with ABS setup, behind a 381ci LT1 making 800 HP / 800 lb-ft at the flywheel. Simple bolt-in, came from the factory with lube, LSD additive, and “run-in”. Been in the car for 20+ years. Seemed happier behind the TH400 that replaced the original T56. 5.000+ rpm clutch dumps (McLeod Street Twin) on sticky tires seemed to be on the ragged edge. But at today’s prices your looking at about $3,000.

The cheapest way out for a well-built, normally aspirated 383 is the Ford 8.8-inch. Hawks sell the housing only for $1,220.

https://www.hawksmotorsports.com/cam...al-assemblies/

There are small mom & pop shops that build them a bit cheaper.

Photo of 12-bolt:

https://www.camaroz28.com/g/picture/8152627